What a beatiful weekend for FUN-draising!

Hooray for the Survivors!!! Relay For Life 2009

Relay For Life, Relay For FUN

Hi there-  I just spent the last 24 hours walkking with my teammates around a track at Skyview Junior High School in the Northshore School District.  Why did my friends and I do that, you may ask?  We were participating in an annual event called The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life.  Relay For Life was started by an oncologist in Tacoma in 1985…  since it’s inception this fundraiser has brought in more than 3.5 Billion dollars for cancer research and support of patients.  Not only is this my fourth year participating in this important community event, it is my third year of being team captain of Friend’s For The Fight (against cancer).

The object of the event itself is to pay tribute to those that have been taken from us by cancer, and to honor those that have survived and/or continue to fight cancer still.  The event begins with a lap just for Survivors, as the other 600 or so participating members of the community line the track cheering them on in their success.  As a survivor myself I can attest to the powerful transfer of positive energy that this walk of fame gives to the Survivors…  After the initial kickoff lap of Survivors, then all the participants take to the track and continue 3through the night having at least one member of the team on the track at all times.  The symbolism being that cancer never sleeps, and neither do we in our fight/vigilance through even the darkest hours.

Luminaria

One of the most touching parts of the entire event is the Luminaria ceremony.   Around 10 pm, the track is lined with lit Luminaria that have been decorated by participants and members of the community in honor of those who fight and memory of  the people that have gone before.  A lap of silent candlelit reflection follows a short ceremony of acknowledgement, accompanied by bagpipes playing Amazing Grace…  It is hard to convey in words the strength and solidarity this ceremony imparts on the participants.  Join us for it next year!

I would suggest that anybody who has been touched by cancer, whether personally or through a loved one, seek out a community relay event to participate in.  The entire community aspect is so uplifting it benefits all who participate.  I originally became involved in support of some of my clents and their families.  Now I Relay to spread the good word and works of The American Cancer Society, in the hope that a cure is not far away.

The Luminaria Ceremony

A huge THANKYOU goes out to all of my friends that supported me in the fundraising for this worthy cause.  Our team raised more than 4,500 dollars, the relay in total collected 116,000 from 60 total teams.  This money benefits our communities directly through outreach programs for cancer patients, and indirectly through the funding of Bio-Tech research in the fight against cancer.